P-05-1096 Remove RSE from the mandatory element of the Curriculum Bill 2020, Correspondence – Petitioner to Committee, 18.01.21

Dear Committee,

First, I would like to make clear this is not a campaign against Biology, Sexual Safeguarding (we are campaigning for a more robust package, starting with the adults), nor Children’s Rights, we represent the opposite. This is a campaign against an inclusive Global Sex Education (we have researched since 2013) which is based on unethical studies and sexual philosophies, it fails to safeguard, and is not a representation of a devolved Government, which Welsh children should remain central to the research and decisions in policy making, to meet our needs here in Wales- the same way we propose and implement other areas of devolved policy. We want RSE removed from the mandatory element of the Curriculum Bill; to reclaim full control of our children’s education and safeguarding procedures from all global, unelected institutes. We want a wholesome approach, not a “closed door” approach.

Addressing the Minister of Education response to; “that RSE is part of a Global Rollout of Sexuality Education which is not appropriate for this country”; the minister replied “I can confirm that this claim is wholly inaccurate and false”, she then went on to reference said roll out in paragraph five, “Statutory guidance for RSE is currently being co-constructed to ensure that learning is developmentally appropriate, drawing on a range of evidence and expertise such as the UNESCO International Technical Guidance.” Does the Minister not know this is a Global roll out? I put it to you, it is evident she has not properly scrutinised any proposal for RSE (despite reaching out to her July 2020 for reassurance on this matter) hence why she cannot provide an evidence-based response for something she wishes to legislate against parental and public wishes. That alone should be enough to remove RSE and replace it with Science- emphasis on Biology. Relationships align perfectly with Religion, Values, (Relationships) & Ethics (RVRE instead of RVE).

UNESCO, as referenced by; the Minister, the RSE Draft 2019 (pg 4) and in the Curriculum Report 2020 (pg134) is part of a global roll out of sex education, it is common knowledge and well documented, it is currently in fifty-two countries, and this is the reason why the lesson contents is so readily available. There are worldwide campaigns against it, with well-educated and experienced people at the forefront. The UK has been under pressure to adopt this education for many years until it conceded in, March 2017, (Sexuality education in Europe and Central Asia (2017), page8 & 174 onwards) the same time the sex education panel for Wales had these discussions (as confirmed in the Curriculum Report). The document used to convince politicians, the Children’s commissioners and other agencies, is the WHO/BZgA: Standards For Sexuality Education Europe (2010) . This document is just 68 pages, I urge you to read every word slowly, not only does this document discuss sex education from birth and Sexual Rights, but it encourages mutual sexual activity from any age it feels pleasurable to the child (a biological reaction). The matrix table which starts from page 38; Age 0-4 early childhood masturbation, age 4-6 appropriate sexual language, use sexual language in a non-offensive way, age 6-9 starts discussing sexual intercourse with age 9 onwards being an age where intercourse is always consensual- this does not fall in line with law or UK definitions of Child sex Abuse and Exploitation, children cannot consent. Abortions, birth control and consent are all targeted at infant age children. I have discussed with professionals’ statements such as “differentiate between good and bad secrets” if you could provide evidence to back this in children younger than four then that would help but the professionals in the fields of abuse seem to have a wealth of evidence suggesting otherwise.

This education has been rolled out in fifty-two countries; A simple google search provides examples of materials used worldwide, I read articles going back to 2014 where books about bondage was on a Kindergarten shelve in California, a year of campaigning it took to remove that, it has since appeared in Canada. Children are widely encouraged to research many genres of porn. I can provide you with extensive lists and footage of this sex education and the lesson contents but a simple web search of the words “controversial sex education…… (and name most states of America, European countries and developing countries) you will see a pattern emerge, each place all at different stages of implementation and legislating. Here is a snapshot of California: The guidance has prompted protest among parents, conservative groups and teachers — most notably around some of the books that were suggested as resources, including “S.E.X.: The All-You-Need-to-Know Sexuality Guide to Get You Through Your Teens and Twenties,” which includes descriptions of anal sex and bondage; and “Changing You,” which includes cartoon illustrations of female and male genitalia. Both books were recommended for removal.

UNESCO has a rights-based approach which sounds far better than the WHO document but statement 1.3 tells us it is a revised version of WHO (2010), their partner; it also tells us it is part of a “global movement”. Pleasure and consent feature in this document, as does arranged marriage which in this country is forced marriage. Children are always encouraged to exercise rights over their parents, which includes sexual rights, just two years ago we were operating solely under WHO (2010), how long before we go back to that age and that direct? Sexual rights are a worry especially for young children, children are vulnerable and have a right to be protected, these policies fail to safeguard and sexualise children, we challenge government to provide evidence to pinpoint and evidence where I am wrong because there is a lot of evidence to support and pinpoint our claim. A quote from the Education Minister in the consultation report (2020) puts her number one safeguarding point as “the change of name”.

An example of these policies in practice is the “All About Me” 241 schools in England, this commissioned by the UN, it was removed overnight after much criticism of parents, the Curriculum Bill not so easily done. The highlighted sections were concerning for many parents but there is a sentence which concerns us, it not only talks of sexual stimulation to children as young as six, but it blocks a spontaneous avenue to disclosure, meaning a child has lost an opportunity to disclose, we are yet to find a teacher in the UK or Wales that can spot it. It begs the question as to how it safeguards when only a trained eye can see, shouldn’t every eye working with children be able to spot this barrier to spontaneous disclosure? Furthermore, England has made the headlines with its dice game and hardcore Porn research (I am providing you with entire searches of literature, I spent hours going into each article and following the hyperlinks to further sources of evidence). Its Dice Game replicates something from an adult sex store. The game tells the teacher to “hold their nerve”, they clearly suspect teachers will feel uncomfortable introducing that game to a classroom full of children (we know 68% of teachers aren’t comfortable delivering the old content, the new is a step way too far for teachers, parents and most important the children), we must remember that every person in the UK under the age of eighteen is still a child. It is illegal to show pornography to a child under the age of eighteen, but we see this creeping into their homework from time to time, this cannot possibly be coincidence. The most recent being a Comprehensive school in Hull whereby a teenage boy just happened to catch his younger teenage sister searching this pornography on the web. The school gave a feeble excuse which has been echoed around the globe, isn’t this something the Welsh Government is keen to avoid?

If the evidence to the global connection were not enough to dissolve the argument that our “education” is devolved, we have an email regarding RSE which was recently sent out by a school in South Wales, its link takes us to England’s resources. This is not a mistake, we had confirmation from the secretary, in writing, that the email is solely for and from that school. This email has been sent to several Ministers- as has most of the evidence.

The SNP have not legislated for such education yet but there are similarities appearing in their documents, for instance the name changes to RSE. The Scottish people suspect the announcement will come after the election nevertheless lessons are well underway with over 100 lesson plans published online. Children are encouraged to masturbate, have consensual sex, anal sex, hard porn, facial ejaculation, threesomes and bondage . Please watch the videos on these slides (some Ministers have seen this already but choose to ignore), These videos do discuss some dangers of porn and brush on the law but it gives off the message that in moderation it is fine, it also tells children that if it exists there is porn on it, some of my constituents had to search terms such as “feltching”. Children aged 3 to 5 identify these parts on a diagram. 1. Arm 2. Bottom 3. Ears 4. Eyes 5. Hand 6. Head 7. Knees 8. Leg 9. Mouth 10. Nose 11. Nipples 12. Penis 13. Scrotum and Testicles 14. Toes 15. Vulva. Why do children as young as this need to know about scrotum and vulva? Consent is another thing repeated throughout all documents (Global and UK), children cannot under any circumstance consent, nor do they choose what feels good, because to reiterate these are excuses perpetrators use for abusing children. People over the age of consent are still considered children until eighteen years old; those people are recognised as vulnerable hence the definition of Child Sexual Exploitation covering those over the age of consent and who have consented’ exploitation is recognised. Age 9-12 sex; note just one slide on age of consent, nothing on the law or definitions or what emotional impact you can get from having sexual intercourse with another person, a lot of adult talk for preteens (however WHO documents believe sexual intercourse is perfectly fine from age 9), these slides and images are part of the SNP Second Level lesson plans, which is a bit close for comfort. Age 12-15 have the right to have illegal underage sex?  Sexual Rights has become a concern for many in Wales, something they feel Members of the Senedd are keen to avoid addressing.  Removal of this link for our petition highlights this claim.

An important note here: pleasure and consent are paedophile policies, PIE paedophile information exchange is the most public display of evidence for this, people with in-depth knowledge of perpetrators of abuse will recognise this as a key element of offending behaviour. In addition to that and despite school closures this year; the months September to December 2020, The Education Council Wales sat 24 Fitness to Practice panels, nine are of a sexual nature, 2 years struck off the teaching register seems to be the norm for these kinds of offences in Wales, have we learned nothing from Bryn Estyn? We hear the advocacy is in place because of the Waterhouse Report yet no one we speak to under the age of 18 knows such service exist. We have problems here which need addressing, we address these by first educating the adults.

As you can see this evidence is overwhelming, with each link taking you to many more, it is UK wide and Global. The legislating against parents does not sit well. This education is already in fifty-two countries, it is only a matter of time before it gets heavy here too, it all originates from the same source. Going back to the Education Minister verbal statement, 15/12/20, on this being produced in Wales by the practitioners of Wales, for the Children of Wales, there is nothing in the Bill to support this, it simply mandates from age three to sixteen with no parental opt out. The reference to the global roll out should not be in there to begin with but as it is, we take it as confirmation that RSE is not going to be tailored to the children of Wales, we know this because a third of the studies were carried out in third world countries and over a third was carried out in states of America. Can you guarantee this education will not be as heavy handed as it is elsewhere, in 5-10 years’ time? This is part of a global rollout; you cannot hide from this, Wales has rejected this idea in overwhelming numbers without knowledge of a global existence, I feel this will be a grave mistake for the Government of Wales if this element of the Bill continues to process. The last time we had a change of legislation in education was 20 years ago, look at the WHO document our lobbyist groups pushed for, is this what we stand for here in Wales?

There are no clear boundaries or evidence of emotional support; I have spoken to professors in economics and many other fields, who have provided me reports regarding the dangers of no parental opt out as well as serious case reviews (England, we share the same CJS). I invite the minister to provide credible evidence (not opinion) which supports the reasoning behind these decisions. We can then compare and properly scrutinize. If this is not an option available to the people of Wales, then I feel the best thing for the Senedd is to pull it from the Bill immediately because the evidence against every aspect of this is overwhelming. I must point out Biology, Safeguarding and Sex are three different subjects, one of which has been removed from the mandatory element of the Curriculum Bill (Science).

The Education Minister has provided conflicting information (as well as proven her lack of knowledge on this issue) throughout this entire process. A letter states she had 5000 civil servants on this, an FOI claims solely Welsh Government and no researchers and contractors, with a further FOI unable to give details on who sat these meetings for this global sex education. Furthermore, our parental opt out was removed between publication of RSE Draft 2019 and publication of Curriculum Bill 2020, the Government has not been transparent with the public.

We are happy and willing to commit our entire lives to assisting Welsh Government in ensuring our safeguarding and standards of training is world class. We can lead by example (just as we are with Youth Justice Policies), using our own way, local solutions for local problems. Research conducted in Wales, solely for the Children of Wales. We are committed to the Children of Wales and offer our skills and expertise out of love, the Minister implementing this is leaving before it has been designed. The people of Wales are showing conviction and it the devolved administrations duty to provide this on-going working partnership. We will not support this element of the Bill and will fight to repeal if it passes, we will hold minister solely responsible for this cost as they all would have been forewarned, we do not want part in this no parent opt-out education, we certainly do not want part of any global, unelected entity.

Please note, document is hyperlinked throughout.

Kind Regards

Kim Isherwood

Public Child Protection Wales

Education our say, our way!